Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has inaugurated the Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Threat Assessment Center (PIFTAC) and e-launched the AI Hub Punjab, saying the two initiatives will help authorities identify security threats earlier, improve coordination between agencies and respond more quickly to emerging challenges.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony on Saturday, Maryam Nawaz said Punjab had become the first province in Pakistan to establish an Artificial Intelligence Hub.
She said the government had turned the concept of using artificial intelligence into a practical system within a few months and described the rapid establishment of the AI Hub as a major achievement.
AI System to Issue Early Alerts
Maryam Nawaz said the AI-enabled system would send digital alerts to district coordination committees, helping authorities identify potential problems before they developed into major incidents.
She said PIFTAC would also help reduce response times against terrorism and other security threats, particularly those emerging from the tri-border region and neighbouring provinces.
“Controlling an incident before it occurs would be the real success,” she said.
The chief minister stressed that law and order was as important as development projects, saying roads and infrastructure had little value if citizens remained exposed to theft, violence or loss of property.
She said crime in Punjab had declined by as much as 70%, adding that the government had shifted towards preventing crimes instead of responding only after they occurred.
Security Agencies Working as One Unit
Maryam Nawaz thanked the Pakistan Army for its cooperation and expressed appreciation for Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Fayyaz Hussain Shah.
She also congratulated Home Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, Home Secretary Ahmad Javed Qazi and other officials for completing the AI Hub in a short period.
The chief minister praised the police, Special Branch and other law-enforcement agencies for working as “one unit” to protect citizens and maintain law and order.
She said the government had strengthened joint check posts in vulnerable areas and equipped them with bulletproof, thermal and night-vision cameras.
According to Maryam Nawaz, security personnel had previously faced attacks in which dozens lost their lives, while terrorists sometimes had better weapons and night-vision equipment than police personnel.
She said conditions in riverine areas had improved significantly, with the state re-establishing its authority and bringing criminal activity under control.
Heavy Rains and Infrastructure Challenges
The chief minister said Punjab had also demonstrated its ability to respond quickly during difficult situations, including heavy rains.
Despite weaknesses in sewerage and drainage infrastructure, she said authorities were now removing rainwater promptly.
However, she acknowledged that fully rehabilitating and restoring sewerage and drainage systems across Punjab would require significant resources.
Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Corruption
Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government was following a zero-tolerance policy against corruption and would pursue cases involving even Rs. 100.
She said the government had established a public helpline for reporting corruption and would make arrests once evidence was available.
Written instructions had also been issued to the Inspector General of Police, regional police officers and other senior officials to identify and remove corrupt personnel from their departments.
The government has also provided body cameras to police officers to improve accountability and monitor their conduct while on duty.
Road Safety and Basant
Maryam Nawaz said the government was also working to improve compliance with laws and regulations.
She cited helmet use, lane discipline and zebra crossings as areas where enforcement had increased, while adding that pedestrians also needed greater awareness and training about road safety.
The chief minister said the government had taken a difficult decision to allow Basant in Lahore after introducing comprehensive safety measures.
She said the festival ended safely and that no kite was seen in the sky after the official closing time.
Protection of Women and Children
Maryam Nawaz said crimes against women and children were particularly disturbing and described those responsible for such acts as mentally disturbed individuals.
She referred to the abuse of a 10-month-old girl as an incident that shook public confidence in humanity and highlighted the need for stronger protection mechanisms.
She said citizens expected the government to protect their lives and property and added that ensuring public safety was her responsibility, regardless of personal risks involved in making difficult decisions.
The chief minister said the government’s broader goal was to create a safer, technologically enabled and better-governed Punjab.
She expressed hope that Pakistan would continue to progress rapidly and said efforts were also underway to improve the country’s image and perception internationally.
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